MPA Program

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies.

The MPA degree is designed to prepare administrators to analyze problems and solve them effectively. Professors teach conceptual knowledge and help students develop the analytical skills necessary to implement policy. Whether you are employed in public or nonprofit organizations, or interested in entering a career in administration, the MPA program will provide you with the balanced advanced education necessary to become a capable, decisive leader.

The curriculum’s focus on problem solving is built on two important premises: 1) the prime responsibility of administrators is to identify and manage problems; and 2) problem-solving does not fall within the bounds of a single discipline.

This interdisciplinary program was designed to meet the educational needs of students who have earned either specialized, technical, or liberal arts degrees and are seeking to expand or update their knowledge of administration. Courses are offered at convenient times to meet the needs of working professionals interested in completing the program on a part-time basis.

The MPA requires students to select courses from various disciplines. The MPA is comprised of faculty and courses from political science, economics, health care, education, criminal justice, sociology, and psychology. Students from government, health care, criminal justice, education, and the nonprofit sector interact across professional boundaries through shared courses.

Core administration courses form a solid educational base. The curriculum includes core courses in public administration, courses from one of the four concentrations, work in analytical methods, and an applied research project. Internships are usually required for students with less than two years experience in administration. 39-42 credit hours are required to complete the MPA program.

In addition to the General MPA, four concentrations allow students to specialize: